4華人涉嫌走私人口賣淫

FOUR INDIVIDUALS INDICTED IN CONNECTION WITH TRAFFICKING WOMEN AT ‘MASSAGE PARLORS’ IN WESTERN MASSACHUSETTS

Victims were Allegedly Transported from New York and Trafficked in Multiple Communities Including Northampton, Hadley, Framingham, East Longmeadow, and Agawam 

BOSTON – Four individuals have been indicted in connection with trafficking women at “massage parlors” in Western Massachusetts after law enforcement dismantled the criminal operations in a major multistate law enforcement takedown in December, Attorney General Maura Healey announced today.

“Far too often, we are finding that these body works establishments operate as fronts for human trafficking,” said AG Healey. “We will continue to takedown these criminal enterprises and disrupt these business models that are based on making a profit off of the sexual exploitation of human beings.”

The defendants were indicted on Wednesday by a Statewide Grand Jury on the following charges:

Feng Ling Liu, age 50

·         Trafficking in Persons for Sexual Servitude (3 counts)

·         Conspiracy to Traffic Persons for Sexual Servitude (3 counts) 

·         Transacting in Laundered Money (3 counts) 

·         Deriving Support From Prostitution (3 counts) 

·         Keeping a House of Ill Fame (3 counts)

Jian Song, age 48

·         Trafficking in Persons for Sexual Servitude (3 counts)

·         Conspiracy to Traffic Persons for Sexual Servitude (3 counts) 

·         Transacting in Laundered Money (3 counts) 

·         Deriving Support From Prostitution (3 counts) 

·         Keeping a House of Ill Fame (3 counts)

Ting Ting Yin, age 26

·         Trafficking in Persons for Sexual Servitude (3 counts)

·         Conspiracy to Traffic Persons for Sexual Servitude (3 counts) 

·         Transacting in Laundered Money (3 counts) 

·         Deriving Support From Prostitution (3 counts) 

·         Keeping a House of Ill Fame (3 counts)

Shuzi Li, age 52

·         Trafficking in Persons for Sexual Servitude (2 counts)

·         Transacting in Laundered Money (2 counts)

·         Deriving Support From Prostitution (2 counts)

·         Keeping a House of Ill Fame (2 counts) 

Liu, Song and Yin allegedly trafficked women between New York and locations in Hadley, East Longmeadow, and Framingham. Liu and Yin will be arraigned in Hampshire Superior Court tomorrow and in Hampden and Middlesex Counties at later dates. Song will be arraigned in all three courts at later dates.

Li allegedly trafficked women between New York and her businesses in Northampton and Agawam. Li will be arraigned in Hampshire Superior Court tomorrow and will also be arraigned in Hampden Superior Court at a later date.

These charges are the result of a months-long joint investigation by the AG’s Office, the Northwestern District Attorney’s Office Anti-Crime Task Force, and the Northampton Police Department, with the assistance of various other local and federal law enforcement agencies, including agencies in New York.

During the course of the investigation, authorities developed evidence indicating that Li and Liu were the leaders of criminal operations, running profitable and organized criminal enterprises through “massage parlors” that had been set up as fronts for human trafficking.

The investigation revealed that Liu, with help from Song and Yin, allegedly operated Hadley Massage Therapy in Hadley, Feng Health Center in East Longmeadow and Massage Body Work in Framingham. Authorities also developed evidence that Li was running a similar operation at her businesses, Pine Spa in Northampton and Agawam Massage Therapy in Agawam.

Through these businesses, Li and Liu’s employees performed sexual services for a fee. Authorities allege that the defendants typically received the majority of the profits from these sexual encounters. Ten victims were identified during the investigation and authorities recovered a significant amount of cash during the execution of search warrants. The monies recovered from the businesses were allegedly used to fund expensive jewelry, automobiles, bank accounts, and travel for the defendants.

The victims often lived in the businesses and depended on Li, Liu, Song, and Yin for transportation, groceries and other supplies. The defendants allegedly recruited women, advertised sexual services online, set up appointments for sexual encounters, and arranged for transportation for the women.

These charges are allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

AG Healey has a dedicated Human Trafficking Division that focuses on policy, prevention and prosecution and includes a team of specialized prosecutors, victim advocates and Massachusetts State Police troopers who handle high impact, multi-jurisdictional human trafficking investigations and prosecutions across the state. Through the Human Trafficking Division, the AG’s Office has charged more than 30 individuals in connection with human trafficking since the law went into effect in 2012.

            Yesterday, a Boston man was arraigned on charges alleges that he supplied multiple women with drugs and trafficked them for commercial sex in the Greater Boston area.

On Tuesday, AG Healey announced that two New Hampshire women were arrested and arraigned in connection with trafficking women for commercial sex in Massachusetts communities through an online “escort” service.

The case is being prosecuted by Assistant Attorney General Jeffrey Bourgeois, of AG Healey’s Human Trafficking Division, Assistant Attorney General Elizabeth Vasiliades, of the AG’s Western Massachusetts Office and Criminal Bureau and Special Assistant Attorney General Jeremey Bucci, Chief Trial Counsel of the Northwestern DA’s Office, with assistance from the Massachusetts State Police assigned to the AG’s Office, the AG’s Digital Evidence Lab, Senior Financial Investigator Eugene Griffin and Victim Witness Advocate Rebecca Auld, Director of the AG’s Victim Services Division.

國會議員劉雲平支持"無移民日"抗議

CONGRESSMAN LIEU STATEMENT IN SUPPORT OF TODAY’S “DAY WITHOUT IMMIGRANTS” PROTEST

WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Ted W. Lieu (D | Los Angeles County) issued the following statement to stand in solidarity with those participating in today’s national “Day Without Immigrants” protest.

“The United States’ story is a chronicle of the successes of immigrants. These are the successes of iconic figures, like Madeleine Albright and John Muir, but also those of our neighbors and friends who are our doctors, laborers, teachers, and caregivers. As an immigrant myself, I am proud to stand in solidarity with everyone participating in the “A Day Without Immigrants” protest. I know firsthand that America is a great nation because it welcomes people of different backgrounds to come together to better themselves and society. The success of the United States is closely intertwined with the contributions of immigrants. I am certain that as long as we remain a welcoming nation, we’ll continue to be great.”

麻州府撥款300萬資助海事基因學院

Baker-Polito Administration Awards $3 Million to the Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute and North Shore Schools

Massachusetts Life Sciences Center capital grants will grow the innovation economy and prepare a trained workforce

Gloucester - February 16, 2017 - Today Governor Charlie Baker announced a total of $3 million in capital grant funding for the Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute, and for middle and high schools in Gloucester, Lynn, and Salem. The grants, from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center, advance the Baker-Polito Administration’s commitment to build a highly trained workforce and seed job creation in regions across Massachusetts.

Governor Baker announced the grant funding today at an event at the Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute (GMGI), alongside MLSC President and CEO Travis McCready, Gloucester Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken, Sen. Bruce Tarr, Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante, GMGI staff and students, and other area grant recipients.

The awards are part of a statewide grant round that is delivering a total of $39 million in MLSC capital grants to 14 research and educational institutions, and 49 middle and high schools.

“Our administration is proud of Massachusetts's global leadership in the life sciences, and we are committed to advancing that standing training the next generation of entrepreneurs, and connecting residents across the state to careers,” said Governor Baker. “The projects announced today, including the expansion of GMGI and grants for STEM equipment at four North Shore schools, demonstrate our commitment to investing in the innovation economy, supporting game-changing technological research, and creating jobs in every region of the Commonwealth.”

“These capital grants from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center deepen our administration’s efforts to build vibrant regions, from Cape Ann to the Berkshires,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “By training middle school and high school students on state-of-the-art STEM equipment, and creating new pipelines for workforce development and scientific breakthroughs, these awards will create new economic opportunities on the North Shore, and help build a stronger Massachusetts.”

“One of our capital investment plan priorities is to make strategic investments in the future workforce of the Commonwealth, including STEM programs for our students,” said Administration and Finance Secretary Kristen Lepore. “By awarding these capital grants today, the administration is once again leveraging our resources to invest in the Commonwealth’s growing biotech industry.”          

“Massachusetts is building the nation’s most competitive economy by investing in workforce development, and in the infrastructure of innovation,” said Housing and Economic Development Secretary Jay Ash. “By building a platform for marine genomics research in Gloucester, and improving the quality of STEM education for students in Gloucester, Lynn, and Salem, these awards will help make the North Shore a more dynamic place to live and work, and they will equip local residents with the skills needed to retain Massachusetts’s title as the most innovative state in the nation.”

“Our capital grant will enable the Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute to pursue an exciting project that combines workforce training with cutting-edge innovation in genomics, a field where Massachusetts has consistently been a world leader,” said Travis McCready, President and CEO of the MLSC. “Through our STEM equipment and supply grants, area high schools and middle schools will be better positioned to connect students with job opportunities in the fast-growing Massachusetts life sciences ecosystem. In both cases, we are excited to play a role in supporting the economic resurgence of the Gloucester area.”

Today Gov. Baker announced $2.7 million in capital funding for the Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute. The grant funds will build out and equip a world-class marine genomics research institute on Gloucester Harbor. By integrating the dynamic components of scientific discovery and workforce development, GMGI is working to bring a biotech hub to Cape Ann. The GMGI has already launched the Gloucester Biotechnology Academy, which prepares recent high school graduates for careers in the life sciences industries. The MLSC capital funding will allow the GMGI to construct a new center for genetic research grounded in marine organisms, with applications that include commercial fishing.

“We are honored to be one of the recipients of the MLS capital award,” said Chris Munkholm, Executive Director of the Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute. “This generous grant allows us to build a marine genomics institute in which world-class research will unlock scientific discoveries that can impact human health and create opportunities we cannot yet imagine.”

Gov. Baker also announced more than $260,000 in STEM Equipment and Supply grant funding for the following area middle and high schools:

Gloucester High School, Gloucester - $109,154

Gloucester High School will establish a new biotechnology laboratory, and will launch a new program in biotechnology. The new program will enable Gloucester students to enter college programs of study in biotechnology with a solid knowledge of biotechnology concepts and lab skills, or directly enter the workforce in biotechnology laboratories.

O’Maley Innovation Middle School, Gloucester - $56,933

Grant funding will allow the O’Maley Innovation Middle School to expand Next Generation Science Standards programming, by providing equipment that will enable students to understand disease processes at the microbial level.

Lynn English High School, Lynn - $57,311

Lynn English will increase students’ science literacy, laboratory skill development, applications of technology, and interest in science related careers, by offering training in biotechnology laboratory skills to 9th grade students, and including new biotechnology techniques in Introduction to Biotechnology, Honors Biotechnology, Honors Biology, and AP Biology curriculums for 11th and 12th grade students.

Collins Middle School, Salem - $39,525

The Collins Middle School will purchase equipment and supplies to create a maker space, and implement Project Lead the Way life sciences and STEM courses.

“Gloucester is thrilled to be awarded this life sciences capital grant, which will further expand our workforce development initiatives throughout the region,” said Gloucester Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken. “Our maritime heritage continues to evolve and by embracing the opportunities within genomic research and STEM-related fields, Gloucester is well positioned to empower the next generation of skilled workers across numerous industries. We are truly proud of the innovative approach that Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute has established here and we are excited to see more skill-based programs enrich our community for the better.”

“The Institute is moving forward in advancing our scientific understanding of marine biotechnology and its work is making Cape Ann a hub for developing much needed skilled workers and a resource for the type of sound information desperately needed to manage our fisheries,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr. “America’s oldest fishing community is also the home of the newest world-class genomics research center whose mission is better understanding fish populations and the ecosystems of commercial fisheries.”

"I want to thank the Governor for coming to Gloucester and learning about the project first hand as well as for this extraordinary investment in Genomics on Cape Ann,” said State Representative Ann-Margaret Ferrante. “This funding will go far in helping GMGI achieve its next steps and making Gloucester a marine research and biotech hub in Massachusetts. I look forward to working with Governor Baker, Senator Tarr and Mayor Theken on other economic develop projects around our harbor."

Funding for the awards is drawn from the Massachusetts Life Sciences Center’s Competitive Capital Program, and the Center’s competitive STEM Equipment and Supplies Grant Program.

The MLSC’s Competitive Capital Program provides grants for capital projects that support the life sciences ecosystem in Massachusetts by enabling and supporting life sciences workforce development and training, research and development, commercialization and manufacturing in the Commonwealth. The program funds high-potential economic development projects by nonprofit entities that make significant contributions to the state’s life sciences ecosystem. To date, the MLSC has awarded or committed more than $405 million to support capital projects across the state.

The MLSC’s STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) Equipment and Supplies Grant Program funds the purchase of equipment and supplies for high schools and middle schools in the Commonwealth. The program helps schools train students for life sciences careers, increase student achievement and student interest in STEM fields, and support the implementation of the state's STEM standards. The competitive program is open to vocational-technical high schools, public high schools and middle schools located in Gateway Cities, and public high schools and middle schools with economically disadvantaged student populations. To date, the STEM Equipment and Supplies Grant Program has awarded more than $16.3 million to 149 different schools and organizations throughout Massachusetts, and leveraged more than $1 million in matching funds from industry partners

波市長推動兒童儲蓄戶口

MAYOR WALSH KICKS OFF LAUNCH OF CHILDREN'S SAVINGS ACCOUNT AT THE HARVARD-KENT SCHOOL IN CHARLESTOWN

BOSTON - Thursday, February 16, 2017 - Mayor Martin J. Walsh tonight will celebrate the launch of Boston Saves, the City's Children's Savings Account (CSA) program, at the Harvard-Kent Elementary School in Charlestown. The program is designed to give families the opportunity to create a long-term savings plan for college, post-secondary education and training, for their children. The Harvard-Kent is one of five schools selected as part of a pilot phase to prepare the City for a universal rollout in Fall 2019. "Children's Savings Accounts are building blocks of opportunity and are important savings tools," said Mayor Walsh. "I am excited to join with students, parents, school leaders and community partners to celebrate our collective investment in our students' future. Even a small amount over time can make a big difference, and there is no better time than now to begin saving for the future." At the event, parents and students are invited to access their CSA through an online platform created in partnership with InvestCloud. The platform allows families to link any savings, checking or 529 account to a secure online platform that makes it easy to save, earn rewards, track progress and gain financial tips. "We jumped at the opportunity to provide our financial technology tools to power this outstanding new program by Mayor Walsh and the City of Boston," said John Wise, CEO of InvestCloud, Inc. "Boston families deserve a savings plan that helps them easily and efficiently plan for the future. InvestCloud software will allow parents access to their children's accounts anytime, on a platform that's simple and easy to use. We think that this program will be a game-changer for the city's families, and we're thrilled to be on board." To date, four of the five schools included in the pilot program have launched CSAs, including: the Harvard-Kent Elementary School in Charlestown, the James Otis Elementary School in East Boston, the Franklin D. Roosevelt K-8 in Hyde Park and Conley Elementary School in Roslindale. The McKay K-8 School in East Boston is scheduled to launch the program in early March 2017. "The Harvard-Kent School community is very excited for this opportunity to teach our Kindergarten students how to save money for college," said Harvard-Kent School Principal Jason Gallagher. "Financial literacy is an important skill to learn, especially at a young age, and we are thrilled to teach this concept to our students through the Children's Savings Account program." The program, run by the Mayor's Office of Financial Empowerment (OFE), has three goals: Set expectations that every child in Boston will enroll in and complete some form of post-secondary education or training. Increase the percentage of Boston's children who graduate from high school and the percentage of BPS graduates who enroll in and complete college or some form of post-secondary education or training. Increase Boston's children and families' financial capability to help create lifelong savings and investment habits, a key for success in college and beyond. Possessing a Children's Savings Account can positively impact children's and families' mindsets towards post-secondary education and training. Research and practice across the country strongly suggest that CSAs are an effective tool in impacting higher education outcomes: families with CSAs are more likely to see college as a goal for their children, and low-income children with $500 or less in a savings account, dedicated to higher education, have been shown to be three times more likely to enroll and four times more likely to graduate from college. All kindergarten (K2) students at the selected pilot schools will have an initial seed deposit of $50 set aside for them. Families will be able to save for post-secondary education and training, and will have opportunities to earn incentives along the way. The pilot program is supported by various private foundations, including the Eos Foundation, a private philanthropic foundation committed to breaking the cycle of poverty by investing in children's future. Programmatic support is provided by Metro Credit Union, the Boston Educational Development Foundation, and ReadBoston, with financial literacy support from OFE and Santander Bank. Building on OFE's mission to build, grow and reinforce a holistic financial inclusion strategy for the City of Boston, OFE has been awarded a two year grant from the National League of Cities' "Cities Building Systems to Promote Financial Inclusion" to support the CSA program. Boston was one of eight cities chosen to participate in a Mayor's Institute on Financial Inclusion in April 2016 to receive in-depth technical assistance. The participating cities were invited to apply for up to two rounds of funds from a grant pool of $15,000-$50,000 based on the proposed project and budget. For more information about Boston Saves, please visit here.

BCNC聘胡善怡出任"一華埠"藝術中心主任

BCNC One Chinatown Names Cynthia Woo as Director

BOSTON, MA – February 14, 2017 – Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center, (BCNC)is pleased to announce that Cynthia Woo (胡善怡) has joined the agency as the new director of One Chinatown Arts Center located at 99 Albany Street in Boston.

A Southern California native, Cynthia started her work in the arts and culture sector as part of the staff which opened the Chinese American Museum in Los Angeles in 2003. Fueled by a commitment to strengthen the connection of arts to the community, she relocated to Boston to obtain her Masters of Arts in Art History and Museum Studies certificate from Tufts University.

Over the past ten years, Cynthia has worked in the Boston-area arts sector, first as the Director of Programs and Special Events at LynnArts, Inc., and most recently as the Director of Community Relations at the Boston Center for the Arts (BCA). Over seven years at the BCA, she developed community partnerships, managed audience-building activities, and created access to the arts through public programs. Cynthia is also an adjunct educator at the Museum of Fine Arts, through which she was first introduced to BCNC by serving as the Community Arts Initiative Liaison. 

“I am excited to once again be working in the Chinatown community and having the tremendous opportunity to establish One Chinatown as a vital resource for artists, residents, and visitors to our city,” said Cynthia. “Arts and creativity are so important in building curious young minds, engaged families, and healthy communities.”

“Cynthia’s wealth of experience in the cultural sector makes her a key addition to the BCNC team,” stated Giles Li, Executive Director. “Boston has an incredible cultural sector that Chinatown, unfortunately, is largely disconnected from. With Cynthia at its helm, One Chinatown will support the master artists and aspiring artists in our community, and build a bridge to the world-class institutions Boston has to offer.”

About One Chinatown

One Chinatown is an arts center at 99 Albany Street in Boston; it was developed by BCNC in partnership with Bunker Hill Community College (BHCC). The 5,000 square-foot space includes a theater, gallery, and classrooms. Slated to open in Spring 2017, One Chinatown will provide an artist-in-residence program; arts and cultural series featuring performance, exhibitions, and workshops; arts education programs; a flexible artist’s workplace; and rehearsal space rental. One Chinatown will also offer credit-bearing college courses through BHCC.

One Chinatown was awarded a prestigious National Creative Placemaking award from ArtPlace America in 2016, just one of 29 awardees out of more than 1,400. Because of its unique role in the Chinatown community, it has garnered the support of public officials, philanthropy, and residents alike.

About Boston Chinatown Neighborhood CenterBoston Chinatown Neighborhood Center (BCNC) is the largest nonprofit social service provider dedicated to Asian families in the Greater Boston area, supporting over 2,000 children, youth, and adults each year at three locations in Boston and Quincy. The mission of BCNC is to ensure that the children, youth, and families we serve have the resources and supports they need to achieve greater economic success and social well-being. BCNC helps families access the resources and services available to them, provide opportunities for them to learn and acquire skills, and create a community of mutual support and encouragement.  For more information, go to www.bcnc.net.

Boston Schools to Host Diversity Career Fair on 2/16

Boston Schools to Host Diversity Career Fair

Mayor Walsh and Superintendent Chang to Highlight the Importance of Diverse Educators

Boston, MA - Wednesday, February 15, 2017 - Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh and Boston Public Schools (BPS) Superintendent Tommy Chang will join educators from the three largest sectors of Boston's schools tomorrow for a recruiting event designed to help schools build a team of educators that reflects the racial, ethnic and linguistic backgrounds of Boston's students.   The Diversity Career Fair for Teachers, hosted by the Boston Compact (Boston district, charter and Catholic schools), will include short remarks from Mayor Walsh and BPS Superintendent Chang to welcome attendees to the district's headquarters in Roxbury.  This is the third annual diversity career fair for teachers that the Boston Compact has sponsored.  In previous years, roughly 200 candidates have participated.

波城藝聯慈善社春宴 捐助僑校及福利機構

駐波士頓臺北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪伉儷(前排右二、中)、僑教

中心主任歐宏偉(前排左一)、中華公所主席陳 家驊(後排右一)與主席

鄭慧民(後排中)、黃賢池(後排右二)、鄭慧民主席夫人(前排左二)

等人合影

波士頓藝聯慈善社2月13日晚間在華埠帝苑大酒樓慶祝雞年新春，450多人歡聚，欣賞祥獅獻瑞，請來歌手演唱，敦請嘉賓高歌，喜氣洋溢在觥籌交錯中。

藝聯慈善社主席鄭慧民和黃賢池當晚代表該社封了大紅包，支持中華廣教學校、中華頤養院及僑立學校等非營利公益組織，聊表一貫的關懷僑社發展心意。

駐波士頓臺北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪伉儷、僑教中心主任歐宏偉和中華公所主席陳家驊等嘉賓在應邀致詞時，分別向與會各界人士賀歲拜年，肯定藝聯慈善社對僑界努力付出的貢獻，也感謝鄭慧民和黃賢池兩位主席以及元老、職員們對僑務工作的支持與協助。

波士頓藝聯慈善社全體職員合影

藝聯慈善社春宴醒獅表演

駐波士頓臺北經濟文化辦事處處長賴銘琪致詞

波城藝聯慈善社主席鄭慧民(左)和黃賢池(中)捐贈善款給中華廣教學校，

由蔡倩婷女士(右)代表接受

波城藝聯慈善社主席鄭慧民(左一)和黃賢池(右二)捐贈善款給中華

頤養院，由陳毓璇先生(左二)代表接受

Governor Baker Nominates Claudine T. Wyner to Hampden County Probate & Family Court

Governor Baker Nominates Claudine T. Wyner to Hampden County Probate & Family Court

BOSTON – Today, Governor Charlie Baker nominated Claudine T. Wyner, an attorney based in Western Massachusetts, to the Hampden County Division of the Probate and Family Court. The Probate and Family Court is the Commonwealth’s adjudicating body over matters including divorce, child support, parental rights and wills and estates.

“Over the last 17 years, Claudine’s dedication to serving Massachusetts families during trying and complicated domestic legal proceedings is commendable,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “I am confident that if confirmed, her addition to the court will be valuable to residents in need of fair and impartial decision-making.”

“Claudine is an active participant in the Hampden County community and I am pleased that she will continue to aid families in Western Massachusetts if confirmed,” said Lt. Governor Karyn Polito. “Her extensive trial experience and leadership will serve the Court well.”

For more information on the Probate & Family Court please visit:http://www.mass.gov/courts/court-info/trial-court/pfc/

Judicial nominations are subject to the advice and consent of the Governor’s Council. Applicants for judicial openings are reviewed by the Judicial Nominating Commission (JNC) and recommended to the governor. Governor Baker established the JNC in February, 2015 pursuant to Executive Order 558, a non-partisan, non-political Commission composed of volunteers from a cross-section of the Commonwealth's diverse population to screen judicial applications. Twenty-one members were later appointed to the JNC in April, 2015.

About Claudine T. Wyner

Claudine T. Wyner has practiced with a focus on family law including divorce, custody, paternity, and guardianships as an attorney and shareholder at Marien & Hodge, P.C. in Springfield, Massachusetts for fifteen years. She has extensive trial experience in all aspects of divorce cases and in representing children in family law cases and matters of Special Education. Ms. Wyner began her legal career as a Judicial Law Clerk in the Juvenile Court Department in Boston before serving as Assistant Regional Counsel in the Department of Social Services in Springfield prosecuting care and protection petitions in the Springfield Juvenile Court and adoption petitions in the Hampden County Probate and Family Court. She was the co-chair of the Hampden County Probate and Family Court Bench Bar Committee from 2011 to 2013 and served on the Board of Directors for the Massachusetts Chapter of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts from 2010 to 2013. Wyner received her Bachelor’s in Elementary and Special Education from Boston University in 1994 and her law degree from Loyola University Chicago School of Law in 1999.

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES $22 MILLION IN NEW FUNDING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING

MAYOR WALSH ANNOUNCES $22 MILLION IN NEW FUNDING FOR AFFORDABLE HOUSING

Funding will create or preserve 602 units in Boston's neighborhoods; Walsh Administration has committed nearly $100 million to affordable housing

BOSTON - Tuesday, February 14, 2017 - Building on his commitment to create more affordable housing in the City of Boston, Mayor Martin J. Walsh today announced nearly $22 million in funding for ten affordable housing developments in neighborhoods across Boston. This funding will help preserve or produce 602 housing units, 77 units of which are reserved for homeless or extremely low-income households in Boston. Today's announcement contributes to the goal of creating 6,500 new units of affordable housing outlined in  Housing a Changing City: Boston 2030, Mayor Walsh's housing plan, and supports Boston's Way Home, the administration's plan to end chronic homelessness by 2018. "Preserving Boston's affordability is key to ensuring everyone who wants to live here can afford to do so, and I'm particularly pleased this funding will both preserve and add to our existing affordable housing stock," said Mayor Walsh. "This will help us continue to build a pipeline of affordable housing, and put us one step closer towards reaching the ambitious goals laid out in our housing plan. I want to thank the Neighborhood Housing Trust for making these funds available and supporting these worthy developments. Working together with our partners, I am proud we are building a better Boston." The funding is made possible through more than $13 million of federal and local resources awarded by the Department of Neighborhood Development (DND), and more than $8 million of linkage funds, awarded through Boston's Neighborhood Housing Trust.    With the awarding of these funds, the Walsh Administration has now committed nearly $100 million in affordable housing funding since Mayor Walsh took office. In total, the Walsh Administration has helped create or preserve more than 3,000 units of affordable housing, which includes nearly 500 units of housing for the homeless. The following is a complete list of the developments that have received funding awards: Dorchester Hearth at Four Corners In response to an RFP for City-owned land, Hearth Inc. was designated by the Public Facilities Commission to create 54 units of elderly housing affordable to a range of incomes. The development includes 16 units that will be set aside for extremely low income elders.   Wilshire Apartments Urban Edge plans to rehabilitate and refinance an existing 29-unit, Section 8 project.  The site was troubled, with a history of foreclosure and disrepair. Urban Edge plans to rehabilitate and refinance the development, preserving the existing Section 8 contract, which is scheduled to expire in 2019.   Indigo Block Boston Capital, Escazu Development &  Dorchester Bay EDC were designated to develop the City-owned site known as 65 East Cottage. The development team will create a mixed-used development, to include 89 units of housing: 80 units of low-, moderate-, and middle-income rental housing; 9 market-rate ownership units; and a light industrial commercial building. Four Corners Plaza Codman Square NDC is proposing to create a 31-unit development along with 9,920 square feet of commercial space. The project would be developed on two City of Boston parcels.   Jamaica Plain Jackson Square Building M Jamaica Plain NDC is proposing to create a 44 unit affordable rental development. Building M is the fourth project to be built under the Jackson Square Master Plan. 250 Centre Street - Building N The Community Builders will create a 112-unit mixed-income rental development along with 2,140 square feet of  retail space. Building N will be the fifth project to be constructed under the Jackson Square Master Plan. Mattapan Olmsted Green Phase IV Lena New Boston is proposing to create a 47-unit mixed income rental development on the former Mattapan State Hospital site.    Roxbury: Michael Haynes Arms Cruz Development proposes to combine five city-owned parcels and two privately owned parcels to create a 51-unit mixed-use development. Cruz Construction and Management will use the commercial space as their new headquarters.   Downtown 48 Boylston Street-Phase II St. Francis House and the Planning Office for Urban Affairs will create a 93 unit mixed-income development on Boylston Street in downtown Boston.   The Fenway Burbank Gardens Fenway CDC is proposing to acquire and rehabilitate a 52-unit expiring use development on Burbank Street in the Fenway. The proposed development will protect the existing tenants from displacement and preserve the long-term affordability of this mixed income development. To help choose appropriate developments for funding, the City of Boston has established funding priorities, based on the goals outlined in Housing A Changing City: Boston 2030.  Proposals submitted are expected to fall under at least one of the priority criteria: Affordable housing developments that utilize City-owned land. Affordable housing developments targeting a mix of incomes: from units for homeless households to units targeted and restricted to incomes representative of Boston's workforce. The City prioritizes proposals that, in addition to the homeless set-aside, provide some portion of units targeting extremely low income tenancies.  Affordable housing developments that have reduced the cost to build and/or efficiently use subsidy so that the project is able to move into construction more quickly.    Affordable housing developments that provide units that serve the disabled community, vulnerable or special needs populations, elders, veterans, artists, aging out youth, etc. Acquisition of unrestricted housing developments in order to stabilize the tenancies, and provide long term affordability for a mix of incomes (i.e. unrestricted properties). Developments that are at risk of losing their affordability within 5 years.  Large projects with more than 50 units of housing, of which at least 51 percent will be deed-restricted affordable units. Projects creating new affordable units in high-cost neighborhoods where most of the IDP funds are generated. Projects that contain affordable units that cannot be funded from other subsidy sources available under this RFP, or through the Neighborhood Housing Trust RFP. Projects that can quickly acquire existing unregulated units and convert them into long-term affordable housing.